We see a lot of diamond rings. Big rocks. Small shiny ones. Special settings. Simple ones.

Glittering diamonds are on the hands of most of the brides we meet. Women do love their wedding jewlery and they wear it forever!

There are so many different kinds of diamond options these days. So when you make a major purchase like this for your Valentine's Day proposal, or any time, you want to make sure you have a little diamond know-how.

Here is some advice from the Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO) for buying a sparkler for your sweetie.

Decide what you can spend. A diamond engagement ring is a major investment and buying the best diamond you can afford is always good advice. With the expanding market for designer engagement ring settings, however, you should make an early decision about where your budgeted money will be spent: Would you rather spend more for a better diamond in a simpler setting or opt for a designer setting with a smaller stone?

Familiarize yourself with the basics. The four-Cs--cut, color, clarity and carat weight--describe the proportion of a diamond as well as other important physical characteristics which will effect its price. Understanding the basics will help you to understand the diamond's price.

Learn how to read a diamond grading report. All reputable jewelers sell diamonds with grading reports or certificates, which provide a third-party evaluation of a diamond and heavily impact its price. The grades should include measurements of the stone, carat weight, color, clarity, finish, polish, symmetry and fluorescence.